Report: Honda “Is Working Very Hard” on NSX Successor, Says President

Plans to resurrect the NSX supercar badge are still afoot at Honda, according to Honda president Takanobu Ito. He recently told Automotive News that the company is continuing to plug away at developing a new sports coupe that will effectively serve as a successor to the hallowed Honda/ Acura NSX.The original NSX, with its aluminum-intensive structure and mid-mounted V-6 engine, was dropped in 2005 after a 15-year production run. At the time, Honda was said to be developing a new supercar with a V-10 engine and output in the neighborhood of 500 horsepower. Those plans were scrapped in December of 2008, although a similar vehicle (albeit with a V-8) was campaigned in the Japanese Super GT race series in 2009.The latest rumors suggest the new NSX could well be a hybrid -- and by Ito’s recent remarks, that appears to still be the plan. We previously reported on this possibility when we heard the car could use a de-tuned V-8 engine with an advanced hybrid system, the latter equipped with a conventional manual transmission and capable of driving the car on electricity alone. Ito explained that Honda’s sports cars would be paired with hybrid technology, with a new NSX serving once more as a halo car.According to Automotive News, the next NSX is still likely to utilize a gasoline-electric hybrid driveline. Details are still sketchy, at best, but some rumors have alleged that the V-8 may not be part of the package. Some reports suggest the new NSX could potentially pair Honda’s 3.5-liter V-6 with a full hybrid system, along with the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system (frequently seen here in Acura’s product portfolio). If so, total output could come in around the 400-horsepower mark.Regardless of what will power it, it’s clear that an NSX replacement is on track. Ito himself says Honda’s engineering staff is “working very hard on it.” Could a hybrid Honda supercar live up to the legend of the original NSX? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.Source: Automotive News

I'm not to impressed with Honda/Acura's decisions lately. The NSX should be a NSX, not a gas sipping hybrid with 400HP. It makes no sense. Leave it to Toyota for the Hybrid crap. Honda you are supposed to beat everyone with your 4 Banger DOHC Vtec loaded engines. The V6 is pushing it! Sadly we Americans have changed the way you produce. Yet i didn't want that. Acura how ever should keep the V6 in hand for the TL and RL only. If we want the TSX to have more power, give it the Turbo from the RDX, not the V6 from the base TL. The TSX needs to stay strong to Honda's Euro Accords roots, Meaning jeep the drive train and styling about the same, but letting Acura put its badge's and emblem's on it as well as the highest of all high interior much like they always do. However, Acura should bring back the NSX and load it with as many cylinders as they wish, only because the NSX is a true Sports car. I love the sound of the banggers, I'm getting fond of the V6 and I'm wondering how Vtec will be in a V8 or that V10 they mentioned. However, if Acura stays with the V6 for the NSX, most older NSX fans will be happier only because it stayed close to its older model. i do think Honda can be a little more choice-e under the hood for the TSX and RL and if it comes back, the NSX models. Rl should be offerd a V8 to suit the SH-AWD to its limits while the RL being premium can be able to hang in the premium races with BMW 7series or Audi RS6/A7. While the TSX should have the base 2.4 cylinder, then a 2.4 cylinder with the RDX turbo, and then a 3.5 V6. The NSX should be offerd with a 3.5 or 3.7 V6 from its last production model along with a V8 and V10 option. That way no matter how the NSX groupies feel about how the NSX should come, they can chose their options to fit their fancy. Now i know Honda isnt really all in for the whole BMW/Audi style of LONG separate list of options, but this would unly be for under the hood and drive train mixes. the interior like every Acura will be well decked out and come with no extra options except a Navi like they do now. As for styling for the NSX, it should be considered as a car to both be ahead of its time, but kind to the human eye. I think Acura/Honda can pull of the right styling if they look at the old NSX and what the future NSX and combining our input all together they could become really successful at this new-e comeback. I mean, Honda created the best SH-AWD, Vtec, i-Vec, 4WS and really great styling! I've seen this new NSX prototype, and i think they kinda copied the shape of the R8 from Audi and the front end of the newest Lexus LFA. For such a great car maker, i thought it was kinda sad. -Oh god i hope i can work for Honda one day. But im just another American 14 year old so they wouldn't take me into consideration.

You are a smart man. Either that or we just have similar tastes haha. Honda has really let me down, but new Acuras even more.. They have been looking pretty disgusting. I really really hope that if they plan to bring the NSX back, they don't have ass it and pay a designer who can make it look good. Why not even pay Fisker design studio? They make some sexy cars even managed to make a 6 series look spectacular. That and use good quality materials. It would be a great car. Just don't take a book from lexus and make an LFA fiasco. $350k for a good looking car that performs like a sub 100k one.

Yes, i think Honda can, and should do it. Nissan has the GTR, Toyota has the Lexus LFA, what does honda have? Just make a larger mid-engined, coupe version of the CRZ. Tune it right so user can really interact with the CPU that handles the engine and electric motor and it should be no prob. Then if its sexy, and priced right, it will sell. Its not robot science (sorry ASIMO)

I much prefer a Mid-engine 2 seater to a front engine 2+2. Somehow... I don't think that will happen and I will probably just die with my current NSX. Please Honda, if it is going to be a spiced-up CRZ please call it something other than NSX.

All the nay sayers and the guys poopooing the hybrid idea and Honda in general have no faith and what's more must not keep up with what is actually going on in the world of the sports car. I have one question- has anyone here heard of the what Porsche is not only doing with their race cars but how about the 918??? I mean guys it's the future - get used to it. One day there will be no more gasoline powered engines being built at all so consider this that strange interim period when the oil just won't let go. Don't get me wrong I love gasoline powered engines and sports cars of all varieties but things are changing. I believe that Honda has a few more tricks up it's sleeve even though they've been talking about all this for years and years and still nothing but I think something is coming that should be pretty cool. By the way I have an NSX.
Now othewise

I bought an NSX in 2005, and I love my car as I stree drive and track it. I would be happy to get a new NSX but it can’t be ugly. I have yet to see a Honda product that looks anywhere as classic as the NSX, unfortunately don’t like the look of any current Honda cars other than the ZDX (although I still own other Hondas). I like the idea of a hybrid even if I am in the minority, because I believe looking towards a more sustainable future is important, even in sports cars. Most likely, I am the type of guy that would be an actual new NSX customer. If the car is quick, looks great, has good technology and is priced around 100K, I would buy one. Honda can take some cues from Fisker and show that Hybrid need not be boring.

I bought an NSX in 2005, and I love my car as I stree drive and track it. I would be happy to get a new NSX but it can't be ugly. I have yet to see a Honda product that looks anywhere as classic as the NSX, unfortunately don't like the look of any current Honda cars other than the ZDX (although I still own other Hondas). I like the idea of a hybrid even if I am in the minority, because I believe looking towards a more sustainable future is important, even in sports cars. Most likely, I am the type of guy that would be an actual new NSX customer. If the car is quick, looks great, has good technology and is priced around 100K, I would buy one. Honda can take some cues from Fisker and show that Hybrid need not be boring.

To be competitive by todays standards, while holding true to what the general consensus loved about the NSX, this car will need to produce at least 400 horsepower. I hope they build it. A dear friend of mine has an Alex Zanardi edition and while not amazingly quick, it is a very elegant, well built sports car with great reliability.

it was plenty fast when it came out in NINETEEN NINETY from 3 liters. there are many v6's today that make that kind of power from 3 liters without forced induction. it had competitive power and out ran plenty of corvettes and porsches.

i think they worked their ass off making sure the civic looks more uglier every generation. most companies now dont just overhaul the looks or chassis. they just add new headlights and bumbers and add a bigger and bigger emblem in the front and call it brand freaking NEW.

Typical Honda. Take the most exciting car you have ever made, molest it to the point it's barely recognizable, give it a retarded powertrain and slap the old name on it. Done! Congratulations, you've made the next Honda travesty.

All the Major sports car players are looking at the Hybrid option for future products...even Lotus and Ferrari. The problems they all run into are weight and cost...the technology simply isn't yet available to make a lightweight hybrid system, and those technologies that are kinda close are so expensive they only make sense on Super high dollar $600K+ limited run models.
Now..if they can make a 400-500hp hybrid 2 seater with a curb weight right around 27-3000 pounds, a 50-50 weight distribution and a price competitive with GT-R or Z06..then fine.
If not...bag the damn Hybridization and just make a proper sports car that just happens to get around 25-30mpg on the highway...very doable with current engine technology. It isn't like your typical 2 seat Sports Car buyer is clamoring for Prius like mileage anyway...even at $5/gal.

Now why do we want a hybrid powertrain that will just eat up all the trunk space, raise the weight at least 300 pounds, make the engine way more compex to work on/modify, and ruin the weight distrobution? If they want their car to be so fuel economic then just keep the weight down and drop a new V6 into it with twin turbos . There's no need(or desire) to make these types of cars heavier and screw then up with hybrids. Just look at what happened to the CR-Z. If they had just put a bit of effort into the engine then they could've easily gotten similar MPGs but instead of an anemic 112 hp it could've gotten at least 170hp. Honda, don't go about making things harder (and worse) than they should be.

Honda has no soul anymore so naturally they will end up making some under achieving POS hybrid that is way over priced. Hopefully this time around they will have the decency to put it down before it gets left on life support for longer than it lived a healthy life unlike the last attempt at a supercar. It is sad to see such a waste of a good company though.

Why not update the body of the 2005 NSX slightly, add in some safety features, add in a 300 HP 4 cylinder and drop the price to $35,000?
The NSX was a fine looking automobile and it still has lots of mojo left. I would say it has enough mojo to give GM, Porsche and Ford executives indigestion.

Just saw that they were going on with the plans for a V8, but with a hybrid system attached. I would love to hear what Honda could do with 8 cylinders, but unfortunately they didn't learn from the CR-Z's massive failure. Scrap the hybrid, who gives a sh*t? Give us something worth wanting.

Yay! Finally, I took Honda long enough to realize they need a serious sports car. I think they can live up the the NSX name. An everyday driver super car priced under 80k with around 400hp and great handling would be a great success. I think they should offer a supercharged V6 hybrid as the base model and a V8 hybrid for the GT.

Im perfectly fine with the hybrid powertrain. Thats one of the weakest areas Honda has imo. Awd would still be cool as long as its mid-engined, Lamborghini doesn't catch any flak for being awd. Lets face it the original nsx wasn't speed machine to begin with (the original v6 only had 270 hp) . It was a high-revving v6 with no torque that was mated to an extremely capable chassis. The chassis is what we want back. Drivers will always find cars that drive well and if it does that it doesn't matter what powers it.

I really hope they scrap this hybrid crap. I want a vtec v8 or twin turbos? a screamer akin to a high revving Ferrari v8. C'mon Honda we all know you have the know how to do it, you've been building formula one turbo and naturally aspirated engines for years. Please Please don't ruin this car with a stupid drivetrain, awd and weird looks. keep it mid engine rwd and sexy. I'm so nervous that the nsx's name will be tarnished.

No it probably can't best the old NSX, but 400 hp is nothing to scoff at and heck if it gets decent gas mileage, it'd fit better in today's eco-conscious, economically lukewarm society. Personally, I think the original NSX is ugly, but then again, it was probably pretty snazzy for its time. I find this so ironic because I just saw one of these today driving home (one of maybe 2 I've ever seen).

Here's what's gonna happen... Ready, instead of putting out the HSV-010 GT which was the NSX successor that is already produced and built. Honda/Acura will scrap this car again and start fresh. Again. Just like they did after they made the HSC concept, just like they did after the luke-warmed recieved Acura ASCC concept, and now, starting over again after they built the HSV-010. Honda/Acura HAS ALREADY BUILT 3 NSX SUCCESSORS and now they are working on the fourth.
The HSC was scrapped for reasons unknown to me.
The ASCC was scrapped because of a luke-warm reception.
The HSV-010 was scrapped because of the global economy and wouldn't make sense to build at the time because of the even lower volume they would have sold, so they decided to take the ones they had already made and put them on the track.

No Honda will be able to live up to the original NSX. That being said, If the new Japanese cars are any indication (TL, RDX, Accord, Civic, Fit, and non-Honda Japanese cars 3, Leaf, LFA, Versa), the new one will be a total disappointment in both engineering and design.
So to Honda: make if it you want, don't make it if you don't. You've scr*wed over most of your fan base in the last few years so we don't care anymore.

about time???
Hondas product portfolio is like the most boring of all big manufacturers, and ye the new civic isnt breaking any grounds.
I really hope to see this soon!
i reckon it should have more than 400 hp, because naturally it would be compared to the GTR which will destroy it every time. a 500 hp, twin turbo hybrid v6 sounds good tho! make it like 35 mpg highway and you got a winner. I strongly believe they should have an overboost or whatever you would call it system on the hybrid to give bursts of power (like the 918)